On ax kick training days I do 10 reps back leg ax each leg. Then 10 reps front leg skip ax kick each leg. Then 10 reps inside out crescent ax, each leg. Then 10 reps outside in crescent ax, each leg.

Then 10 reps random ax kick each leg, step through the speed bag while bobbing/ducking speed bag (simulating avoiding counter kick or punch in case of a miss).

Sometimes if I really want to vary the work out. I'll practice striking the speed bag with different parts of the foot (ball, heel, outside edge, inside edge).

Then on my really sadistic days, I will do the whole rep again focusing on "straight leg" ax and "chamber leg" ax (a variation on how much knee bending occurs during the rising motion of the ax).

Depending on how heavy the heavy bag is, it might not be a good equipment to practice ax kicks agianst. I only practice spin ax kicks on 85 lb bags and above because they won't move as much when struck from the side. But for pushing (front attack) ax kick the bag has to be less than 50lb. to be an effective simulation, and even then it isn't, because during the downward motion the foot is still caught sliding agains the bag.

Remember half the time when you throw an ax kick your opponent is already starting to lean backwarks.

Stupid Axe Kicks, or maybe just stupid me

I broke my pinky toe on the right foot 2 weeks ago practising axe kicks, just clipped the bottom and put the toe out at a 45. reset it a fininshed training but it did not feel nice. Hope to be fully good to go in two more weeks. I agree that the heavy bag may not be the best option (of course) and the kick paddles are probably a good choice.

Here is me doing some AXE kicks. I think axe kicks work OK if your hamstrings are flexible. I am pretty flexible in the hamstrings. But I have no flexibility at all doing the splits, so I can't do high roundhouses without using an upward angle.

That's why I use all the "bad" kicks like axe, cresent, and side. Becuase I don't have to kick like i'm doing a split.

all about timing

The best bag, really, to practice the axe on is an uppercut bag, or get an uppercut ring for a normal bag. It's much faster to chamber the knee in this kick. It's very powerful and absolutely HAS to break or move something wuther it be your own leg or the target since gravity acceleration and your strongest muscles are what make the axe kick work. So do not use a very heavy target at all, 70 lbs bag at most if you're practicing the forward version.

I've only seen axe kicks used in MMA when the opponent is on his back. The fact is that the axe kick is a real bone breaker but needs a good deal of setup since it is basically two kicks, such as bringing it up just as your enemy throws a missed round kick or spin back kick or decides to jump. Bring it wide like a crescent and slam it into his shoulder if he can't bring it back to base too quick. Most ppl just back up. Excellent kick if you an bring it down on a side kick. If your opponent is going toward you, snap it straight up with the chambered knee, so he thinks you just tried to snap him in the jaw and missed. And then down it comes on his nose. KO. I've seen it get caught on the hogu and that's ugly cuz the face comes down on the foot. OhhOOoo

My current school does not train with crestant kicks or axe kicks, though my old master, though he taught bullshido, had a modified crestant kick that was very different from your Traditional crestant kick. he required a hell of alot of flexability, but the way it was thrown it attacked with the heel and not the side of the foot, and moved in a hooking motion(not like the hook kick)